NFL Week 7 Picks: Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers

Carolina Panthers vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 10/19/14, 1:00 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Green Bay -7
Current Betting Line: Green Bay -7
Opening Total: 48.5
Current Total: 49.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Carolina Panthers have struggled on defense in 2014

Carolina has lost the statistical battle in five consecutive affairs, as it looks to move past a 37-37 tie on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, while going OVER the betting total in its last four contests. The Panthers have been very happy with quarterback Cam Newton’s production of late, which can’t be ignored when making your Week 7 NFL betting picks, as the accounted for 391 total yards last week. Carolina is 6-0 ATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 7 points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 4-2 in that situation.

The Panthers are happy to see Newton moving past his injuries that bothered him in the early going, which is important to consider when looking over the NFL betting lines, as he’s gained an NFL-high 2,181 yards on the ground as a signal-caller since being drafted out of Auburn. Defensively, the team has been an absolute mess in trying to stop the ground game, as it has allowed a league-worst 5.5 yards per carry to this point.

Green Bay has won and covered the number in its last three affairs, including a 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins as 1.5-point road favorites last week, while going OVER the total in each affair in that span. The Packers have a major weapon for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to target, as Jordy Nelson leads the league with 632 receiving yards, while he’s also hit pay dirt five times. Green Bay is 12-3 SU and 9-6 ATS as favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 9-7 in those 16 opportunities.

The Packers have won 30 of their last 33 regular-season games with Rodgers under center, as he comes in averaging 236.5 passing yards per game, but has translated his success into a remarkable 111.4 rating. Green Bay has captured 15 of its last 16 games in the month of October, including the last nine due to putting up an average of 31.2 points on the scoreboard.